Sun hasn't quite set on Burrow's world title challenge

Sunset Beach, Hawaii: Australian Taj Burrow has kept his remote world title hopes alive by advancing to the third round of the Rip Curl Cup world tour event.

Burrow was one of 10 Australians to progress in the two-metre waves by finishing first or second in second-round heats contested by the first-round losers.

The West Australian is fourth in the world championship tour ratings with just one event remaining after this one.

"Its pretty tricky out there and you don't really know what goes down in a heat," Burrow said. "You see guys take off and the wave barrel from behind, but you don't know if they're in it or what happened, and you can't hear scores. I'm so stoked to make it."

Burrow, who trails ratings leader Kelly Slater by 1220 points, said he was enjoying the contest because his chance of taking the title was so remote.

"For me, the world title is a real long shot, so I don't feel too much pressure," he said. "I feel like I can be relaxed and just go out there and surf. I'm pretty sure I'd have to win both remaining events and the other guys would have to lose early, which is unlikely. I'm just trying to have fun, but I'm sure the other guys are feeling it."

Six-time world champion Slater leads the ratings from fellow American Andy Irons and the Gold Coast's Mick Fanning and all three are into third round after wining first-round heats earlier in the week.

It was a bad day on Wednesday for Australian tour veterans Shane Powell and Beau Emerton, two of the six Australians eliminated, who are struggling to hold their places on the tour.

They were unlucky to come up against Hawaiian wildcard Love Hodel and Californian Taylor Knox, the day's outstanding surfer, who recorded the highest heat score with two tube rides - 17.6 out of a possible 20.

Emerton and Powell are 29th and 30th respectively with only the top 28 surfers guaranteed a spot on the tour next year and will need strong finishes in the final event at surfing's most notorious break - the Pipe Masters.